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Positive Poultry Trade Balance Presented in 2012

CHILE - The Chilean poultry sector closed 2012 with very positive trade figures. Exports reached US $329 million, while imports from the US, Argentina and Brazil amounted to about US $147 million.

Exports to the United States, including Puerto Rico, grew by 58 per cent. The main product exported to the US was boned breast, which accounted for 58 per cent of chicken meat.

The growth in shipments to the US offset lower earnings reported in the Europeam market. Chilean imports fell 8 per cent due to economic crises.

With effect from 1 January 2013, tariffs on Chilean poultry (chicken and turkey) exports to the US came down to a zero, making the sector more competitive in the US market.

The US is considered to hold great potential for consumption of chicken meat, particularly chicken breasts. Chile is, therefore, increasing it's competitive edge in the US market by ensuring full compliance of health and food safety requirements imposed by US authorities.

On this matter, Juan Miguel Ovalle, president of the APA, said that when an FTA was signed with the US, the Chilean poultry industry worked hard to tap into the US market. "Today we can say with satisfaction that the trade balance is in surplus," he said.

During 2012 imports remained constant, unlike previous years, which showed significant increase. However, there have been important changes in the diversity of products imported from Argentina, USA and Brazil, the three of the world's largest exporters of chicken meat.

Domestic consumption of chicken increased by 2.9 per cent in 2012, higher than the average growth of the past five years, which was 2.2 per cent (2007-2011). The cumulative growth in consumption in the last five years is 39 per cent, which has been stocked with domestic production and imports. Currently, 15 per cent of Chileans consume chicken imported from Argentina, USA and Brazil.